26 October 2015

For those who are trying to loose weight (like me), but still want to have something sweet here and there. The whole strudel is worth 40 weight watcher's (old) points, so if divided in 10 large servings it carries 4 points each, or 2 points each for 20 small serves. Enjoy!Ingredients:Dough-1 1/2 cups flour1 egg, beaten + water to make up 150 ml of fluid2 tbs oil (for spreading)Filling-5 apples1/2 cup sugar50 g butter1/2 cup bread crumbscinnamonMethod:For making and stretching dough, see Apple Strudel recipeFilling-Melt butter in a pan, add breadcrumbs and fry for a minute. Set aside to cool.Preheat oven to 180*C (160 fan forced), grease a large baking tin.When dough ready (stretched), mix all ingredients for filling and place along one side of pastry. Roll the filling (with help of tablecloth) to the other side, making sure to fold sides of pastry, so filling doesn't come out during baking.Place strudel onto baking tin (shape into semicircle if doesn't fit), brush with beaten egg and bake for 40 minutes.Dust with icing sugar and serve.

15 October 2015

I had a memorable day yesterday. I got a surprise package in my mailbox; my dear friend Sonja (from Slovenia) made a few things with her hands and sent it to me....20 000 km away! She made me cry and she made my day! Two of her amazing cards, beautifully smelling lavanda wreath, and dried WILD STRAWBERRIES from Slovenian forests.

Thank you Sonja, you will never know what that meant to me.

Following recipe is from a cookbook, that she sent me some time ago. I make it often, as it is quick, delicious and healthy.

12 October 2015

One of my favourite TV chefs is Nigella. I like her 'normal', everyday recipes and the fact that she is willing to share with you her little domestic secrets. The way she speaks about certain food ('beautiful brown dust' - cocoa, 'little pale curls' - grated parmesan,...) shows off her poetic passion for food. What drives me crazy is constant zooming in on her face and hands and blurring out her figure...but, that might change soon, as she lost some weight recently.
Following recipe is adapted from Nigella's famous Apple Crumble...I just added a pie crust / shell.

Method:
Mix dry ingredients and butter; rub them with your fingertips (or use processor) add water and knead slightly. Let it rest in the fridge (glad-wrapped).
Preheat oven to 180*C (fan-forced) or 190*C.
Take the dough out and roll into a circle that will cover your pie dish. Prick with fork.
Place apple pieces on bottom, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
Rub flour, sugar and butter until large crumbles form. Cover your apple pieces and bake for 10 minutes; lower temperature to 170 (180)*C and bake for another 20 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

06 October 2015

Most of my time last week, I spent building my new blog. Hopefully, it's going to support my new business. I have registered my name (CaKing Agent) and got ABN; only visit from my council is left to give it final 'green light'.

Activate yeast with some warm water, sugar and a little flour. Mix in all other ingredients (except seeds) and knead for 10 minutes. Add seeds and knead in. Let it rest in warm spot (covered). All this can be done in a bread maker.

Punch the dough down, shape into a loaf and place onto a tin. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 200*C. Place tin in hot oven, place 3-4 ice cubes on bottom and close the door. Bake for 5-10 minutes, then lower temperature to 180*C and bake for another 35+ minutes. Take out, wrap in a clean tea towel and let it cool.